In recent years, Guangzhou has been struggling to find its place in the Chinese football league system. The city has consistently failed to reach the top flight and is often seen as a potential destination for talented young players. However, with the rise of new teams in the CSL (China League Soccer), Guangzhou may have found itself on the wrong side of history.
The Chinese Super League, which was launched in 2015, saw many promising young talents from other regions come to China to compete in the country's premier league. This led to a flood of talent entering the league, including players who were previously overlooked by their home leagues. As a result, there was a surge in competition, with many teams competing at the highest level of football in China.
However, this also meant that the league had to be restructured to accommodate more talented players from other regions. In 2019, the league introduced a new system called the "Struggle for Points", where teams would earn points based on their performance in the regular season. The goal was to make sure that teams with the most points could qualify for the next round of the league.
This change in the system was met with mixed reactions from fans and media. Some praised the change as a positive step towards making the league more competitive and attractive to younger players. Others criticized it as unfair and suggested that it did not reward hard work or effort.
Despite these concerns, the league continued to evolve, and in 2020, the system was further refined. The new system allowed teams to earn more points through higher levels of performances, such as winning more games, drawing fewer matches, and conceding fewer goals. This made it easier for teams to win matches and improve their standings.
As the league continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how successful the Struggle for Points will be. While some argue that it will help attract more talented players to the league, others worry about the impact on the quality of play and the sustainability of the league. Ultimately, only time will tell how successful the change will be for Guangzhou's football club.